Press release

Japan win new five-set battle against Bulgaria

Japan's Takashi Dekita scored impressive 47 points

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 2 – One day after defeating Brazil in five sets, Japan repeated the script to overcome Bulgaria on their second match in FIVB Men´s Junior World Championship. Playing at Maracanazinho Gymnasium, in Rio de Janeiro, the Asian squad came from behind to defeat the European team 3-2 (20-25, 20-25, 33-31, 25-18 and 15-11) in another thrilling match.

Still unbeaten, Japan have now four points in Pool A, while the Bulgarian scored their first against the Asians. The United States (3) and Brazil (0) will clash later today to close the group's daily schedule.

Bulgaria took advantage of its blocking power to win the first set, scoring five points relying on that fundament. The European team reached the middle of the partial ahead in the scoreboard, with Jeliazkov spiking to score 14-11. A short serve of middle blocker Ventsislav Ragin (21-15) put Bulgaria close to the win, that was confirmed in 25-20.

The Europeans kept the control of the match in the beginning of the second frame and achieved an 8-6 advantage in the first technical timeout after a wrong Japanese serve. With good serves of Penchev, the Bulgarian managed to increase their lead to 19-13, what made Japanese head coach Noriaki Sako call for a timeout. The pause did not work and Bulgaria kept the good rhythm until closing the set with Penchev spiking: 25-20.

Led by an unstoppable Dekita, Japan started the third set ahead (6-3) and kept the advantage until the middle of the frame, when a Bulgarian serve tied the frame in the 16th point. Middle blocker Ventsislav Trifonov stopped the Japanese to score 19-18, but the Asian reacted and postponed the set decision until 33-31, when Dekita spiked to score.

With the win in the third frame, Japan recovered the good performance they showed against Brazil and took the lead in the fourth set, achieving 12-6 with Yamato Fushimi scoring twice in a row. Using their block again, Bulgaria brought trouble to the Asians and got close in 17-15. Japan became comfortable again when outside hitter Taiki Tsuruda spiked to score 23-18, a few moments before Dekita closed the set 25-18.

Excited with the reversal, the Japanese took control of the fifth set and quickly achieved a 5-2 lead. With a huge block, the European tied the set in the sixth point. With libero Satoshi Ide amazing in the backcourt and Dekita outstanding in the net, the Asian reassumed the led in 11-9 and closed the match 15-11 with Jeliazkov hitting the antenna.

On Wednesday, last day of Pool A, Japan will play against the United States at 4:00 p.m., while the Bulgarian side will face hosts Brazil in the closing match, which will start at 6:30 p.m.